Forensic Science: Crime on File #14 The Case of the Dead Dancer
You arrive at the lake shore, where the body was found in the bushes. You deduce that she was taken by surprise and strangled from behind. After you take off her dark glasses and scarf, you see that she was a very attractive blonde. In her purse you find four one-dollar bills, a silver lighter with the initials “R.L.” and a driver’s license made out to Rita Lang, age 22.
Later you learn that she was a chorus girl in a local nightclub. The evening newspaper carries the story, featuring a picture of Rita in one of her dance costumes. The sheriff’s office has found that Tommy Griffin, a local playboy, was seen boating on the lake the afternoon of the murder.
You question Griffin. “I figured you’d be after me,” Griffin says, with a smile. “I knew I’d been seen on the lake. That was what popped in my mind when I saw the girl’s picture in the paper. I recognized her at once – the same girl I saw walking along the shore with her boyfriend – or friend. He was a thin man in a dark green suit. They seemed to be arguing, because I saw him grab her shoulders and shake her violently!”
“How far away were you?” you ask.
Tommy thinks for a moment. “Oh, I’d say at least 250 yards or so. I didn’t hang around watching – I mind my own business. It wasn’t till I saw the papers that I knew what had happened! Such a pretty girl, too.” He shakes his head mournfully.
“Did you ever meet or see Rita Lang before?” you ask.
“No,” Griffin says.
“I don’t think you’re telling the truth!” you say. “I’m holding you on suspicion of murder.”
The Case of the Dead Dancer
You arrive at the lake shore, where the body was found in the bushes. You deduce that she was taken by surprise and strangled from behind. After you take off her dark glasses and scarf, you see that she was a very attractive blonde. In her purse you find four one-dollar bills, a silver lighter with the initials “R.L.” and a driver’s license made out to Rita Lang, age 22.
Later you learn that she was a chorus girl in a local nightclub. The evening newspaper carries the story, featuring a picture of Rita in one of her dance costumes. The sheriff’s office has found that Tommy Griffin, a local playboy, was seen boating on the lake the afternoon of the murder.
You question Griffin. “I figured you’d be after me,” Griffin says, with a smile. “I knew I’d been seen on the lake. That was what popped in my mind when I saw the girl’s picture in the paper. I recognized her at once – the same girl I saw walking along the shore with her boyfriend – or friend. He was a thin man in a dark green suit. They seemed to be arguing, because I saw him grab her shoulders and shake her violently!”
“How far away were you?” you ask.
Tommy thinks for a moment. “Oh, I’d say at least 250 yards or so. I didn’t hang around watching – I mind my own business. It wasn’t till I saw the papers that I knew what had happened! Such a pretty girl, too.” He shakes his head mournfully.
“Did you ever meet or see Rita Lang before?” you ask.
“No,” Griffin says.
“I don’t think you’re telling the truth!” you say. “I’m holding you on suspicion of murder.”